Hamas confirms Israel’s transfer of 600 Palestinian prisoners

Hamas has confirmed that Israel has transferred 600 Palestinian prisoners, according to a statement posted on the movement’s Telegram channel.

"Our people welcome 600 of their heroic prisoners, whose release had been delayed by the [Israeli] occupiers. We synchronized the process of handing over the bodies of enemy hostages with the release of our heroic prisoners to ensure that the occupiers do not evade fulfilling the agreement [on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip]," the statement read, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement, vowing to uphold all its terms. "We confirm our readiness to engage in negotiations for the second phase of the agreement and once again emphasize that the only way to secure the release of all hostages in the Gaza Strip is through negotiations and adherence to what has been agreed upon," Hamas stated.

Earlier, on the night of February 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that Israel had decided to delay the planned release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, originally set for February 22. The postponement, it said, would remain in place until Hamas refrained from holding ceremonies marking the release of Israeli hostages or the transfer of their bodies to Gaza. However, by February 26 night, Hamas announced that Israel had agreed to release the group of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies of four abducted individuals.

The exchange is part of a broader agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on January 15, which includes the release of hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire in the enclave. The deal, structured in three phases, took effect on January 19. Under the first phase, which will last 42 days, Hamas is required to release at least 33 hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

By Tamilla Hasanova